Lock clip for nipples



1,645,963 1927' F. s. MOORE LOCK CLIP FOR NIPPLES Filed July 16, 1926avwemtoz Patented Oct. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES 1,645,963 PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK S. MOORE, OF QUEENS VILLAGE, NEW YORK.

LOCK CLIP FOR NIPPLES.

Application filed July 16,

This invention relates to lock clips for nipples.

Anobject-of this invention is to provide a clip for nursing nipples tolock the nipple to the nursing bottle in a simple and positive manner.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a lock clip for nippleshaving provision of means for accommodating the effective length of theclip for nursing bottles of varying sizes. My invention also afi'ordsready locking of the nursing nipple to the bottle for varying degrees ofresiliency of the rubber or other material of the nipple.

Further features and objects of the 1nvention will be more fullyunderstood from the following detail description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which Fig. l is a side elevation, partially showing anursing bottle, a nipple and fl'Cllp embodying my invention and ad ustedto locking position;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical sectional View of the nipple and lock clipFig. 3 is a perspective view of the lock clip; and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lock clip in straightened-outposition.

Referring to the drawings, the nursing bottle is indicated at 10, whichmay be of the common form of having a reduced neck 11, see Fig. 2, andbeaded lip 12 at its mouth. The nipple 13 is illustrated of a commontype, substantially circular in transverse cross-section and providedwith a bead 14 at its mouth.

The clip comprises a band 15 of metal such as aluminum or of othersuitable stiff but pliable material and provided adjacent one end 16with a series of perforations or recesses 17, 18, 19, 20. Adjacent theopposite end 21 is provided suitable locking means co-operating with theseries of openings 1720, and in the form illustrated in the drawings,such locking means comprises the hook 22, formed by bending the materialof the clip 15 inwardly on itself, and by reducing the width of the end21 as indicated. The width of the body portion of the clip 15 isconformed to the extent of the lap of the nipple 13 relative to the neck11 of the bottle 10.

The clip may be formed of aluminum or celluloid, or the like to resistcorrosion due to moisture, or by milk or the like.

In the use of the invention, upon placing 1926. Serial No. 122,749.

a nipple 13 upon a nursing bottle 10, to bring the bead 1 1 of thenipple sufficiently below the head 12 of the bottle 10, the clip 15 isapplied by encircling the clip exteriorly about the nipple 13 andsnapping the hook 22 of the nipple in one of the openings 1720 to securethe nipple properly on the neck 11 of the bottle 10. The sizes of theopenings 17-20 and their positions relative to one another are selectedto accommodate different thicknesses of the nipples to varying sizes ofnursing bottles.

Preferably, the clip is applied to the nipple to permit the clip and thenipple to be moved upwards on the neck of the bottle to engage the headof the bottle. The clip is removed from the bottle by pushing the clipand nipple downwardly on the neck of the bottle, then take the clipbetween the thumb and first finger, pressing on each side of the clipuntil the hook end 22 is disengaged from the opening, whereupon thenipple and clip can be readily removed.

It will be observed that the clip aflords longer life for nursingnipples in that the clip secures lodgment of the nipple on the nursingbottle notwithstanding that the rubber and other material of the nipplemay have been rendered relatively soft from frequent usage or repeatedboiling when sterilizing.

In the practical application of the invention, the lock clip is made ofa standard size of a definite length and number and spacing of lockingopenings conforming to the variations of diameter of the neck of nursingbottles on the market, and of a width materially less than the heightsof the necks of nursing bottles, to provide for the preferred manner ofuse hereinabove described.

l Vhereas, I have described my invention by reference to specific formsthereof, it will be understood that many changes and modifications maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A band clip for removably clamping nipples on nursing bottles or thelike comprising a band of metal provided adjacent one end thereof with aseries of recesses, the opposite end of said band being bent curvedlylaterally to form a hook and having a width less than the width of saidrecess, whereby upon placing said band about the base of a nippleapplied to the mouth and neck of a nursing bottle, with said .hook enddisposed inwardly ofstlre looiily portion of said band, and positioningsaid hook end under pressure into one of said recesses, said band servesto lock the 'base of the nipple to the neck of the nursing bottle.

2. A band clip for removably clamping nipples on nursing bottles or thelike comprising a fiat band of metal provided adjacent one ei-i dthere'ei with a series of cireular recesses, the opposite end of said'flat hand oeing tapered and hem; enrvedly laterally to form a .hook,whereby upon placing said band about the ibase," of a nipple applied tothe mouth and neck of a nursing bottle, with said hook end disposedinwardly of the body portion of said band, and

posit-ioning said hook end under pressure into one of said recesses,said band serves to lock the base of the nipple to the neck of thenursing bottle.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification this 8th day ofJune 1926.

FRANK Si MOORE.

